The distributor feed-in tariff only applies to the first 45 kWh your system exports each day.

If you have more than one system on your property, only the one servicing the part of your property that uses the most electricity will be able to receive the distributor feed-in tariff. SA Power Networks decides which system is eligible.

If you do not upgrade or alter your system, your 44c per kWh distributor feed-in tariff will continue until 30 June 2028.

If you do not upgrade or alter your system, your 44c per kWh distributor feed-in tariff will continue until 30 June 2028.

Things that can affect payments

System eligibility

Households, small businesses, community buildings and churches with solar PV systems who consume less than 160 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity a year (the average household uses less than 10 MWh a year) may be eligible for solar feed-in payments.

The solar PV system needs to:

meet relevant Australian safety standards – all accredited installers will comply with these requirements

be connected to the electricity grid via an import/export meter, which SA Power Networks will install at your cost

have a maximum output of 10 kVA for homes with single phase or 30 kVA for homes with three-phase electricity – ask your solar installer about the output levels of your system if you are unsure.

Switching electricity retailers

Before switching retailers, check the new retailer knows you have a solar PV system and is willing to accept you as a customer. Not all retailers have contracts for solar customers. As long as your new retailer has agreed, you will continue to receive your solar feed-in payments.

Living at a rental property

Any feed-in payments a solar PV system is eligible for are paid to the electricity account holder.

If the electricity account is in the landlord’s name, the payments will be credited to the landlord. If the tenant has the electricity account in their name, the payments will be credited to the tenant's account.

Moving house

If you are moving out of your home, your solar PV system's eligibility for solar feed-in payments will be available to the new occupant, assuming they meet the eligibility criteria. You cannot take your payment amounts with you, as they belong to the address of the solar PV system.

If you move to an address with a solar PV system installed, you may be able to get solar feed-in payments for the excess electricity it feeds into the grid. When you sign up for a new electricity account at your new address, ask your retailer what retailer feed-in tariff you may receive. Your retailer can also check when the system was installed and whether it is eligible for a distributor feed-in tariff.

To confirm feed-in scheme eligibility dates for your current address or to enquire about eligibility of your new address, contact SA Power Networks on 1300 665 913 or seg@sapowernetworks.com.au

Adding battery storage or other renewable generators

If you receive the 44c per kWh distributor feed-in tariff, you will stop receiving it if you install an energy storage device (eg battery storage) or another grid-connected renewable generator. This is because it is not possible to distinguish between the electricity fed into the grid from the solar PV system and a storage device or generator.

Anyone who installs battery storage or a renewable generator may be able to receive a retailer feed-in tariff. Electricity retailers have a variety of energy offers for customers with battery storage or renewable generation – visit the Australian Government’s Energy Made Easy website to compare offers available in South Australia.

Upgrades and alterations

If you receive the 44c per kWh distributor feed-in tariff, any changes you make to your solar PV system may affect your eligibility for it. You may still be able to receive a retailer feed-in tariff.

Increasing your system capacity

When SA Power Networks gives permission to connect a solar PV system to the grid, they record the peak capacity of the system – if you’re not sure what that is, contact SA Power Networks on 1300 665 913 or seg@sapowernetworks.com.au. You can install panels up to the approved peak capacity without affecting your distributor feed-in tariff.

Repairs and maintenance

You may be able to replace your panels, inverter or other components of your system, as long as you stay within your approved peak capacity and in line with the terms and conditions of your permission to connect. If you need to replace any components of your solar PV system, contact SA Power Networks before you do any work to see if the changes will affect your distributor feed-in tariff.

Altering your grid connection

If you’re planning to demolish and build a new home, subdivide land, change or replace your meter, or alter your connection to the grid in any other way, it may affect your eligibility for solar feed-in tariffs. Before you make any changes, contact SA Power Networks to discuss how making changes may affect you.

Virtual power plant

The state government has unveiled a plan to roll out a network of at least 50,000 home solar and battery systems across South Australia, working together to form the world's largest Virtual Power Plant.

Beginning with a trial of 1,100 Housing Trust properties, a 5 kW solar panel system and 13.5 kWh Tesla Powerwall 2 battery will be installed at no charge to the household and financed through the sale of electricity.

Following the trial, which has now commenced, systems are set to be installed at a further 24,000 Housing Trust properties, and then a similar deal offered to all South Australian households, with a plan for at least 50,000 households to participate over the next four years.